The first round of nominations for the 2011 Northern California Bluegrass Awards opened at the GOF on August 13th and continues through September 20th. The Northern California Bluegrass Awards honor local, primarly non-touring bands and musicians. NCBS members are eligible to nominate their favorites. Stop by the NCBS booth at Jake’s Brown Barn Festival to fill out a nomination form.

The 2011 Northern California Bluegrass Awards presentation will be part of the Bluegrass on Broadway festival, to be held  January 27-30 in Redwood City.

Between 1987 and 2009, the Northern California Bluegrass Society/Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society — and the rest of the Known Bluegrass World — celebrated “May: Worldwide Bluegrass Month.” Now, by decree of the International Bluegrass Music Association, it’s the new, new thing — “September: Worldwide Bluegrass Month.” So, it’s time to get out and enjoy a full month of music, friends and fun.

A bit of housekeeping: The NCBS/SCBS Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will remain an early MAY event, and will still be our glorious celebration of springtime and the kick-off of the outdoor festival season. It will no longer also celebrate bluegrass month. We look forward to the creation of new fall-related bluegrass month traditions, both locally and internationally. Meanwhile, the coming month is crowded with bluegrass events. See you where the music is!

Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players return to the stage of the Jake’s Brown Barn Bluegrass Festival, San Martin, September 10-12, 2010. The 5th annual, NCBS-sponsored festival is small, fun and close-to-home.  Here, Snap and the boys perform “She Only Loves Me When She’s Buzzed” in an informal late night Grass Valley jam on YouTube.

The September issue of Bluegrass by the Bay has been published to the Members Area of the website. Subscribers to the paper edition should receive theirs in the next few days.

If you’re not yet an NCBS member, please join us. Besides the Bluegrass by the Bay newsletter, members also receive discounts on many events sponsored by NCBS and our sister organizations, and help to support local bluegrass music.

The Plymouth Kids On Stage.

The members of the Northern California Bluegrass Society will be out enjoying the biggest crop of bluegrass festivals of the entire year during the month of September. Plus, beginning this year, September (not May!) is Worldwide Bluegrass Month. It’s time for some musical fun. Here is where you can join us:

Inside Jake's Barn (Photo: Dick Estill)

2-6 —  Strawberry Fall Music Festival, Camp Mather, Yosemite.

8-12 – Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, downtown Berkeley.

10-12 — Jake’s Brown Barn Bluegrass Festival, San Martin-Ludewig Ranch Park, San Martin, sponsored by NCBS.

Under the Old Time Bluegrass parachute in Lower Lake.

11 — Old Time Bluegrass Festival, Anderson Marsh State Historical Park, Lower Lake.

17-19 — Bluegrassin’ In The Foothills, Amador County Fairgrounds, Plymouth.

Music In The Eastern Sierras.

17-19 — Millpond Music Festival, Millpond Park, Bishop.

17-19 — American River Music Festival, various venues (near) Folsom.

18-19 – Julian Lions Banjo & Fiddle Music Festival, Julian.

24-26 — Hobb’s Grove Bluegrass Festival, Hobb’s Grove, Sanger.

24-25 – Old Grove Festival, Armstrong Redwoods State Park, Guerneville.

25 – Pickin’ On Pinot — Bluegrass In The Vineyard, Goldeneye Winery, Philo, sponsored by NCBS.

27-October 3 — International Bluegrass Music Association World Of Bluegrass Convention, Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN.

Looking ahead to October:

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (October 1-3), SNBA Logandale Festival (October 8-10), NCBS Volunteer Party (October 9), CBA Fall Campout (October 15-17).

American River Kids.

The Dillards -- Dean Webb, Mitch Jayne, Doug Dillard & Rodney Dillard -- are inducted into the Bluegrass Hall Of Fame at the 2009 IBMA World Of Bluegrass.

Pickin’ Fun: The Johnson Farm Pickin’ Party is a relaxed afternoon gathering of bluegrass friends at a beautiful, historic Santa Cruz Mountains farm. Everyone is welcome, whether playing or just listening. The JFPP is 10 years old in 2010!

The farm has plenty of shady jamming space, picnic tables, and the friendly members of the Johnson Family. The friendly members of the Abbott Family will be ready to jam with you!

Cost: FREE.

Date & Time: Saturday, August 28, 2010, Noon-7:00pm.

Bring: (All optional) Instruments, Friends, A Picnic, Chairs.

Location: The Johnson Farm, 16385 Two Bar Road, Boulder Creek, CA.

Directions from Los Gatos: Highway 17 South to Scotts Valley. Take the Mt. Hermon Rd. exit and turn right. Go all the way into Felton where it dead-ends. Turn right. Immediately, make another right on Highway 9. Take Highway 9 to Boulder Creek. At the stop sign in Boulder Creek, continue on Highway 9 for another mile and Two Bar Road will be on your right. Follow the signs!

Directions from Santa Cruz: Highway 17 North to Scotts Valley. Take the Mt. Hermon Rd. exit and continue straight until it dead-ends in Felton. Turn right. Immediately, make another right on Highway 9. Take Highway 9 to Boulder Creek. At the stop sign in Boulder Creek, continue on Highway 9 for another mile and Two Bar Road will be on your right. Follow the signs!

Nice Weather: Mostly Sunny, Afternoon High 69 Degrees. (Bring along a jacket.)

And remember…All of your friends will be there!

(Presented by the Abbott & Johnson Families and the Northern California Bluegrass Society.)

The 4th Annual Bluegrass On Broadway Festival will be held January 27-30, 2011 in historic downtown Redwood City. The FREE festival is presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society with principal financial support from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, the Redwood City Public Library, and the Tapestry Church.

AUGUST

28 — Johnson Farm Pickin’ Party, Boulder Creek.

SEPTEMBER

10-12 — Jake’s Brown Barn Bluegrass Festival, San Martin.

20 — Last day to nominate Bands and Musicians for 2011 Northern California Bluegrass Awards.

25 — Pickin’ On Pinot — Bluegrass In The Vineyard, Goldeneye Winery, Philo (sponsored by NCBS).

27-October 3 — IBMA World Of Bluegrass, Nashville.

OCTOBER

9 — NCBS Volunteer Party.

23 — RBA The Tuttles With A. J. Lee Concert, Mountain View.

25 — Last day to submit independent documentary films for 2011 Bluegrass On Broadway Film Festival.

NOVEMBER

6 – RBA Blue Highway Concert, Mountain View.

DECEMBER

3-5 — Brookdale Bluegrass Festival, Brookdale & Boulder Creek.

4 — RBA Frankie Nagle & Primary Colors Concert, Mountain View.

31 — Band applications due for 2011 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival.